Volume 2, Issue 12
December, 2025
Welcome to the December Newsletter!
We hope to keep you posted on local events, inspire you to read emerging authors, review your next great read and share tips and opportunities to help you keep your finger on the pulse of the Canadian literary community.
Friendly Authors Networking Socials (F.A.N.S.)
F.A.N.S. Meeting: January 10, 2026, Quality Foods Upstairs Board Room.
10:30 am to noon
We invite feedback on our events and encourage you to attend our F.A.N.S. (Friendly Author Networking Socials), usually held on the second Saturday of the month, at Quality Foods Grocery Store, the Upper-level café, and board rooms in Eagle Creek Mall on Helmcken Road in View Royal.
FLASH Workshop: Successful Vendor Tables/Booths and Sales Events Jan 10, 2026 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm ($10pp fee) – same location
A Very Merry Christmas From Everyone at Filidh Publishing!
At our December 13th F.A.N.S. meeting, we had some good discussions about projects and things we are interested in accomplishing. Zoe had some handouts meant to help turn dreams into goals and bucket lists into achievements. We also had a guided discussion, and we share the discussion prompts and our responses with you here.
- What’s one word that captures your vision for the new year? Snow, mystery, forward, expansion, confronting, transformation, travel, growth
- What’s one thing you want to leave behind in the old year? Blockages, guessing, uncertainty, self-doubt, resentment, addictions, hesitation, grief
- If you could accomplish one big goal this year, what would it be? Organization, success with ideas to write, bringing creations to light, confidence, happiness, optimal mental and physical health, financial growth, something off my bucket list
- What’s one way you plan to take care of yourself in the coming year? socialize a little more, reaching out for support, making new contacts, expanding my horizons, having a practice, increasing self-awareness, mental and physical declutter, get out and walk more
- What’s a dream that feels exciting but a little scary? Reviewing old writing work, travelling to Europe, airline travel, project of novel into mini series, reading aloud, expanding and deepening relationships with people in my life, completing a writing project and getting it published, author promotional tour
Discussion participants Monique, Penny, Jim, Ron, Jason, Rick, Kelly, and Zoe encourage you to ponder these questions and frame 2026 in the hope and wonder of the holiday season.
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Please share with your friends and family. These ebooks written by Gord Green, one of our newest F.A.N.S. members, are available for 50% off from December 8, 2025, through to January 10, 2026. Use the code ZEXJU at checkout for 50% off.
Dominance Unleashed: Unmasking the Monolithic King
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1490853
Echoes of Duty: In Search of Innocence
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1565960
Quest https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1719612
The Chronology of the Life of Jesus Christ: Through the Experiences of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1062567
And have a Merry Christmas!
Gord
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Producing an Anthology -
Or How to Herd Writers to Deadline Effectively
Creating an anthology is a balancing act between creativity and coordination. The magic lies in gathering diverse voices around a single theme, but the challenge is getting them in on time. Here’s some best practices to achieve that:
Start with Structure
Define the theme, word count, formatting, and submission process clearly. Share these details early so writers know exactly what’s expected.
Plan for Delays
Set an internal deadline at least two weeks before the official one. This buffer gives you breathing room for late entries and last-minute edits.
Communicate Consistently
Send upbeat reminders at key intervals: halfway through, one week before, and three days prior. Keep the tone supportive, not stressful.
Offer Guidance
Provide examples or answer questions promptly. Writers often stall when unsure, so clarity keeps momentum going
.
Build Community
Create a group chat or email thread for progress updates. Peer accountability works wonders for motivation.
Celebrate Progress
Acknowledge submissions as they arrive. Positive reinforcement encourages others to follow suit.
Producing an anthology isn’t just about deadlines. It’s about fostering collaboration and creativity. With clear expectations, empathy, and steady communication, you’ll transform scattered drafts into a cohesive, compelling collection.
At Filidh Publishing, we start every anthology by choosing a theme that resonates with our team and offers strong marketing potential. This latest collection began with a Canada Writes post from an author whose unusual story was declined elsewhere. We loved the plot, reached out to review it, and built the anthology around it.
Each anthology is paired with a charity, and often the charity influences the theme—though we also welcome author suggestions, as in this case. Recent anthologies have featured longer works, so accepted authors are now paid 2.5 cents per word, in addition to a complimentary copy, an author bio in the book and on our website, and the option to purchase additional copies at publisher cost. Proceeds from book sales are donated to the designated charity.
Authors are credited on the back cover and included in promotional efforts, ensuring their work is celebrated as part of a meaningful, collaborative project. Readers can enjoy new stories by their favourite local authors, discover new authors, and support a charity.
We encourage you to submit short stories or poems to our next call for anthology submissions, and if you have a great story that ought to inspire a collection, let us know that, too. info@filidhbooks.com
NEW RELEASE:
A Whale of a Tale: Anthology of the Sea
Thirteen tales from the deep, where every story makes waves.
By Filidh Publishing Authors
Welcome aboard! This anthology invites you into a world where imagination dives deep, and every story makes a difference. Within these pages, you’ll meet unforgettable sea creatures, explore mysterious waters, and uncover themes that spark curiosity and reflection.
But this book is more than a collection of tales; it’s a tide of change. It helps protect our oceans. A portion of every purchase supports the Coastal Restoration Society, funding projects that remove marine debris, restore habitats, and work with First Nations to safeguard Canada’s coastlines.
Read. Enjoy. Restore. Together, we can turn stories into action for a healthier planet.
Dive into a collection that brings together voices from across Canada, weaving tales of mystery, adventure, and transformation inspired by the creatures and currents of our blue planet and celebrating the beauty and fragility of marine life.
Featuring stories by:
Monique Jacob • C.E. Atkinson • Grigory Lukin • Presley K. Lane • William Joseph • Kim Kelln • Lawrence Nault • Randi-Anne Dey • Jason A. N. Taylor • D.K. Weeds • Zoe Duff • Elle Hawkweed • and Allan Jefferson Reid
Available at filidhbooks.com $23.50 softcover, $6.35 ePub, with $5.00 going to Coastal Restoration Society.
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The Great Creators Cooperative Canada (GCCC)
is a Canada-wide, creator-owned marketplace where writers, artists, musicians, photographers, and makers can sell their work directly to the public — fairly, transparently, and on their own terms.
Unlike big platforms that take large commissions, GCCC is a cooperative, owned by its members. That means profits stay with the creators — you.
As a member, you can:
· Open your own online store in minutes
· Set your own prices and shipping rates
· Earn royalties from every sale
· Participate in referral and promotion rewards
· Help shape the future of a Canadian creator community
Joining is simple — purchase one $20 share and start selling your creations on greatcreators.ca.
You can find information about the Founders Program here.
Information about shares is here
Information about Royalties and how profits might affect members is here
Let’s build a fairer marketplace — together.
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Events to Ponder
I. Vancouver Writers Fest - https://writersfest.bc.ca
II. Gibsons Art and Words Festival 2025 - https://gibsonspublicmarket.com/event/art-words-festival-2024-august-22-25/
III. Surrey International Writers Conference - https://www.siwc.ca
IV. Victoria Festival of Authors - https://victoriafestivalofauthors.ca
V. Federation of BC Writers - https://www.bcwriters.ca
VI. Canadian Authors Association - https://canadianauthors.org
VII. Victoria Writers’ Society – http://victoriawriters.ca
VIII. Pride In The Word - https://victoriapridesociety.org/pride-2024/literary/
IX. Denman Island Readers and Writers Festival - https://denmanislandwritersfestival.com/festival-2025/
X. Elephant Mountain Lit Fest – Nelson, BC - https://www.emlfestival.com
XI. Word Vancouver - https://www.wordvancouver.ca
XII. Fraser Valley Book Festival - https://www.fvwritersfestival.com
XIII. Weaving Words Indigenous Writers Festival, Prince George - https://www.weavingwords.ca
XIV. Comox Valley Writers Society - https://cvwriterssociety.ca/conference/2025-north-island-writers-conference/
XV. Whistler Writers Festival - https://whistlerwritersfest.com/
XVI. Wine Country Writers’ Festival - https://wcwfestival.com/
XVII. Word on the Lake - https://wordonthelakewritersfestival.com/
XVIII. Word on the Water - https://www.wordsonthewater.ca/
XIX. Vancouver Island Children’s Book Festival Nanaimo - https://www.vibookfest.ca/
XX. When Words Collide, Calgary, AB - https://www.whenwordscollide.org
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FILIDH PUBLISHING CORP
A Victoria, BC based small independent press that has been producing quality literature of adult and children’s genres from poetry to fiction to non-fiction for over 20 years. See us on Facebook, X, Instagram and at filidhbooks.com
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